I hope everyone had a joyous summer!I for one enjoyed the warm weather, but at the expense of being a Donny Downer, we all know why it was warmer than usual.In any event, the fishing was good!
CCAA was busy since the last newsletter with Yvonne Chu rolling out the new CCAA Carbon Challenge in June AND conducting a cooking class with Bread & Roses in August.That event centered around vegetarian/vegan dishes demonstrating meals with a smaller carbon footprint (and lots of garlic!).Kudos to Yvonne and those who helped in those endeavors. In continuing these great member meetings, checkout the upcoming programs.
I will restate my belief that the most important duty we all have as climate concerned Americans is to VOTE.VOTE for legislators up and down the ballot who support legislation that reduces our carbon footprint.
Within CCAA we have had some discussions on encouraging individuals, our legislators and industry to reduce the planet’s carbon footprint.We need to keep pushing these individuals to work toward solutions to climate change while keeping in mind the obstacles we face. The current situation in NYS is an example where we need to pass legislation that withered away in the Assembly and Senate last year.
Did I mention to VOTE?
As CCAA looks to the future we are pursuing incorporating in NYS with the goal of obtaining a 501 c-3 designation as an official not-for-profit organization. We are practicing by keeping partisan politics out of our publications and rhetoric.By focusing on climate change topics and soliciting opinions from all candidates for office, we can get our Awareness and Action message out without taking sides.
I may have mentioned it, but it bears repeating, that it is important to VOTE in November!
–George Lorefice (loreficegj@gmail.com)
Announcements
Basebuilding Training for Local Groups. 350.org offers a monthly skills traiing for local group members on the last Thursday of every month from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. For information on how to access this, contact yaniliz.rosario@350.org
NY Renews is Seeking a Development Director to develop and implement long-term strategies to sustain and grow our circle of foundation supporters and individual donors. The person in this position will cultivate and maintain strong relationships with foundations and major individual donors towards an annual coalition budget of approximately $3 million annually, half of which is regranted to member organizations. They will also collaborate closely with coalition member organization leaders, and support revenue abundance for the coalition and its members. Interested? To apply for this position, please upload a resume, brief cover letter, and answer the two required questions via the NY Renews Airtable form by August 15, 2024. If interested, just APPLY.
Climate Smart Communities Grant Program. Last month, Governor Kathy Hochul announced more than $7.3 million to municipalities across the state as part of this CLCPA program. Established in 2016, the program supports municipalities seeking to implement climate change adaptation and greenhouse gas mitigation projects, as well as undertake actions toward becoming certified Climate Smart Communities.
In a 6-part series, 99% Invisible explores how climate change is laying bare the vulnerabilities in the American built environment and how communities across the country have been left to bootstrap their own survival. Not Built for This is created and hosted by Emmett FitzGerald. You can find this podcast in the 99% Invisible feed starting August 20th on SiriusXM, Pandora, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Onondaga Earth Corps is celebrating its 20th birthday. Our own former president, Yvonne Chu, is its current office manager. Here’s the inspiring STORY. behind its founding.
When you read this, Election Day will be approximately six weeks away, with early voting beginning ten days before. There will likely never be a more consequential election for climate. One party ignores, disputes, or outright denies climate change and promises to accelerate it. This is true whether the local candidates of that party admit it or not. It is the policy and priority of the head of the party, and they all follow the leader. The other party is trying to slow climate change, whether those local candidates emphasize climate or not. This contrast, and those stakes, are impossible to ignore in the local congressional races, races which will affect which party controls the House.
Even in New York, one of the nation’s leaders on combating climate change, the political pushback from industry has been effective enough to make it politically perilous to be outspoken on climate. Governor Hochul has become timid about implementing the Climate Act and advancing other efforts on climate. She withdrew her support for a long-planned Congestion Pricing Plan in NYC and has declined so far to sign bills on her desk including the Climate Superfund Bill. These measures could be enacted without her approval by Democrat supermajorities in both chambers of the Legislature, but only if those supermajorities are maintained.
If climate is important to you, please vote to protect it, both locally and nationally.
Heat Pumps and the Next Generation
Submitted by Peter Wirth, CCAA Vice President (pwirth2@verizon.net)
If you have a natural gas furnace, you’re contributing to climate change. Don’t feel guilty because almost all the homes in CNY were built using fossil fuels. While I reduced my use of fossil fuels considerably through air sealing, new windows, insulation, purchase of an electric heat pump, roof top solar, I am still part of the problem. I’ve lived in my home in Fayetteville for over 20 years and have slowly chipped away at reducing my fossil fuels consumption. It is never too late to start, and nothing is too small to consider. Every pound of CO2 kept out of the atmosphere helps.
The first step is education. Learn about electric heat pumps! There is an excellent article here, “Heat Pumps Outsell Gas Furnaces.” If your furnace or whole house air conditioner needs replacing, consider a heat pump which provides both functions. If you are past the midway point in life as I am, consider leaving behind a fossil free home as part of your legacy and inheritance. A fossil free or significantly reduced fossil fuel home is a gift to the next generation. Your home will also have more resale value.
It is hard for us to believe that we could be creating an unlivable world this century. Long before significant environmental breakdown, I believe there will be civil strife caused by weather that makes parts of the world unlivable. Climate migration has already started and will only get worse unless we slow down climate change. Some analysts attribute the Syrian civil war to climate change. Long standing drought from 2006 – 2010 caused agriculture failure resulting in poverty, migration and discontent ultimately resulting in civil war/
We all have a role to play in solving the climate challenge from acting on the home front to supporting policy decisions from the village level up to the federal government. Contact me if you want to learn about actions you can take to help.
Young People Learn to Push the Levers of Civic Power to Fight for Climate Change
Submitted by Martha Viglietta, Citizens’ Climate Lobby (viglietta@hotmail.com)
The CNY chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby would like you to meet the founding members of our first Youth Action Team. CCL is a national, volunteer, nonprofit advocacy organization focused on lobbying our elected leaders for legislation and policies to lower greenhouse gas emissions rapidly. Our primary goal is a carbon fee that would be collected from fossil fuel companies as they extract these resources from the ground. The fee would be returned to every household as a “carbon cashback” or used to fund renewable energy. CCL also promotes healthy forest policies, and a modernized electric grid.
Our young members have the energy and ambition to make their voices heard about the climate they will inherit, and they are learning how to push the levers of civic influence that all citizens own. In a year of record heat and a presidential candidate who dismisses climate concerns, these young people are taking action for a livable world.
Let’s hear from them:
YARA FARAH: My name is Yara and I go to Jamesville-Dewitt High School and I’m a rising sophomore. Noticing changes in our climate causes anxiety every day. It makes you wonder if you are doing enough or if you should be doing more. Along with small individual actions, it is important to push our leaders if we really want to make a difference. Joining CCL accomplishes just that, and I now feel as if I really am making an impact on the distressing climate change we see. As we build our CNY youth team, our main goal is to encourage young advocates, to show how empowering lobbying is, and to find a voice.
Image Provided by Martha Viglietta
CCL’s core values include optimism, togetherness, and diversity. These are what I will cherish most in my activism. Joining CCL has made me feel very encouraged and driven, especially as the youth team is coming together and shows that anyone can make a significant difference.
OWEN RECKESS: Hi everyone! My name is Owen Reckess, I am a current junior at Manlius Pebble Hill. I enjoy playing soccer, doing Model United Nations, and hanging out with my friends. On the climate side, I view the Youth Team as a great opportunity for us to make some change in our community starting at the youth side, as politicians are more likely to listen to youth and we can inspire others as well.
MATHENA RUSH: My name is Mathena Rush, although everyone calls me Math. I am a sophomore at SUNY ESF majoring in environmental health with concentrations in hydrogeology and food studies and a minor in mathematics. Yes, my name is Math and I’m studying math! I have always been passionate about climate change, sustainability, climate justice and environmental conservation. After college, I hope to work for the government in some way helping build sustainable and healthy communities in underprivileged areas. I am involved with the CNY CCL Youth group because I want to create a CCL student chapter at ESF. I also think that sharing CCL’s ideologies, opportunities and expertise to the young people of the area will help build the future climate leaders of the world. As a team, we are planning on doing some community events such as tabling, post-card writing events, education and some lobbying. I’ve been an activist for much of my life, but I have never really started my own group before. This CNY youth chapter is all a learning experience for me, and I’m excited to gain experience in organizing climate leadership groups and events!
SYDNEY BOYER: My name is Sydney; I go to Onondaga Jr./Sr. High School and I’m a rising junior (11th grade)! I’ve noticed that since I’ve been an active member of CCL, my climate anxiety has gone away. Putting my frustrations into climate advocacy has helped me to remain positive about my future and hopeful that I can help change it. I hope I can give that feeling to other teens so that they can feel more confident and in control of their future. We are going to start a letter-writing campaign, having students write letters to their member of congress to be delivered when we lobby our congressional representatives later in the fall!
Our goal is to get more young people involved in taking actions towards a livable world and build support in our area for climate solutions. So far in my time as a climate activist, I’ve learned how much power an individual can have. It only takes one person to start something unstoppable. Months ago, I was a brand-new member of this organization, and soon I’ll be working with my peers to lead a team! CCL has empowered me to contribute more than I ever thought I could as a teenager. I want youth to feel like they have power as an individual and as a part of a larger solution.
Cooking and Climate
Submitted by Ken Johnson, CCAA Education Chair (kmjohnson717@msn.com)
Editor’s Note: If you missed attending our member meeting in August you missed a great opportunity to see climate and cooking in action! From garden to kitchen to worktable to dining table, attendees were treated to a hands-on demonstration of ecological sustainability,
On August 10th, Climate Change Awareness and Action, Bread and RosesCollective and Energy Smart sponsored a cooking class focused on cooking while sustaining the climate. Fifteen participants learned to prepare a climate friendly meal.
Consisting of marinated mushrooms, gazpacho, tomato and onion, sage oil gnocci with garlic scape pesto sauce, and aqua fresca, the first two dishes required no heating at all and the gnocci was prepared on a convection hot plate. No fossil fuels were used. The event was judged a success by the participants whose end of event surveys rated the event:
Satisfaction with the event overall : Score= 5 /5
Content and information from the event : Score= 4.5/5
Many thanks to Yvonne Chu of CCAA and Jasmine Collins of Bread and Roses for organizing and hosting the event. A cook book was produced for the participants and is available RIGHT HERE!As an added bonus in the cookbook, there are additional vegan recipes, and articles on the global food system, growing and eating locally, the impact of eating meat, induction cooking, and industrial farming and agriculture, ALL GREAT READS!! Enjoy!!!!!.
House of Straw: Eco-Friendly Construction
Submitted by Janet Allen, president of CNY chapter of Wild Ones Habitat Gardening (centralny1@verizon.net)
The Three Little Pigs story got it wrong! You CAN build a sturdy house of straw – or at least of straw bales covered with cob. (And by the way, straw bale homes are more fire- resistant than conventional wood-frame structures.) These straw bale homes can be much more eco-friendly than traditional house construction.
First, thick straw bale-width walls are very energy-efficient. Second, using locally sourced materials significantly reduces a house’s carbon footprint since heavy construction materials aren’t trucked in. Straw bales can generally be purchased locally, and in some locations, clay used in the cob coating is readily available, too, sometimes even on-site. Third, straw bale homes are biodegradable — though since they can last more than a century, it’s not an immediate issue!
Beyond being eco-friendly, though, straw bale cob homes can be beautiful and incorporate sculptural touches not possible with traditional wood construction.
In March, SUNY Upstate Medical University’s Nappi Wellness Institute was declared “green” with a Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. Although the Institute received a national designation for its commitment, environmental advocates have voiced concerns over usage of a high efficiency gas boiler. The resulting fossil fuels clash with the idea of a sustainable building. So, what exactly does “green” mean?
Through the LEED certification process which gives developers a scorecard, the building earned 64 points with over 26 features. Concentrations like “energy and atmosphere” keep track of builders’ choices and how many points they earn for them.
Lisa Stanley, Director of Client Solutions for the U.S. Green Building Council, explained how usage of a gas boiler was still considered “green” via the Institute’s alleged scorecard. “[The project] is under the 2009 rating system, so it is certified to Gold in a different version,” Stanley explained.The 2009 system is the oldest version available for use. Stanley added that a stricter version five will focus on decarbonization and is now open for public commentary.
Tom Goodfellow, a Syracuse developer for 40 years, has been making significant strides in the battle for sustainability. He proudly operates the Whitlock Building – the only fully electric residential building in Syracuse. He and his son’s first considerations “…were climate change and tenant comfort and affordability”.
“We knew that we could use heat pumps and the energy recovery ventilators that would save money in the long run and help save the climate,” Goodfellow explained. Goodfellow encourages people to consider alternative options like heat pumps and energy recovery ventilators over gas pumps, and he invites them to visit the Whitlock Building to see for themselves.With “green” and “sustainable” being hard to define, it is important for developers, like Goodfellow, to keep in mind alternative economic and environmental solutions.
Timothy O’Hara, the Director of Physical Plant, never responded to request for commentary.
A Forum: WHY ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUSES?
Submitted by Peter Wirth, CCAA Vice President (pwirth2@verizon.net)
Thursday, September 19th from 6 – 7:30p.m., a public information meeting will be held at the Fayetteville Library both in person and via zoom. Join us for a free 90 minute learning experience, separating fact from fiction to encourage clean transportation for the next generation.
Hear industry experts from NYSERDA, National Grid, Clean Communities of CNY, and NY Bus Sales as they highlight the historic investments and incentives currently available for cleaner transportation choices.
Find out how to get assistance with applying for incentives.
Participate in the question and answer session with industry experts.
Learn the facts about funding, partnerships and resources?
THE AGENDA:
• Overview of the US DOE Supported Clean Cities Program, and the EPA Clean School Bus Program: Barry Carr, Clean Communities of CNY • NYSERDA’s NY School Bus Incentive Program (NYSBIP): Natalie Tauro, NYSERDA • Utility Make Ready & Fleet Assessment Programs: Leslie Vishwanath, National Grid • Overview of Electric Bus Manufacturers’ and Approved Bus Upfitters: Barry Carr
• Clean School Bus Models and Clean Bus Projects: Jeremy Johnston, NY Bus Sales • Q&A: Presenters will answer audience, and virtual questions.
SUPPORTERS AND SPONSORS: Citizens Action of NY, Climate Change Awareness and Action, Energy 21, Greening USA, National Grid, New York Bus Sales, NYSERDA, Sierra Club (Central NY Chapter)
Unless you are the rare individual using no fossil fuels for heating, cooking or hot water you are a part of the problem just like me. If you own your home, there are many things you can do to become part of the solution. Some are small, requiring a few dollars and a tube of caulk, and others are large.
This fall I’ll invest about $5,500 to have my attic air sealed and re-insulated” And I say re insulated because there is existing insulation (cellulose and fiberglass) in the attic. Air sealing (along with insulating) is the gold standard for reducing heat loss and gain. I would be lying if I didn’t share that I went back and forth on whether to do this project. However, I feel strongly that as a climate activist, I need to “walk the talk.
To air seal my attic I need to have all the existing insulation vacuumed out so they can get into all the cracks and penetrations for lights, wires, around the chimney, rim joist etc. I then will have enough cellulose added to get to a R 60 after the insulation settles.
What is the Return on Investment (ROI)? Probably not in my lifetime at my age, 75. I “bristle” at the term ROI as climate change has the potential to seriously disrupt life as we know it this century. The right thing to do is reduce carbon emissions
There is no project too small or large to reduce your dependency on fossil fuels. In the process you will create a home that is more comfortable, healthy, safer and has added value. You will also have the satisfaction of knowing that if you “care about the next generation” you will be doing something to create a safer world for them.
2024 NYSACC Conference on the Environment
Information submitted by Sonia Kragh, CCAA Treasurer (skragh@yahoo.com)
The New York State Association of Conservation Commissions cordially invites you to attend the 2024 conference on the environment to be held from September 18 – 20. Day 1 is a virtual conference open to everyone followed by an in-person social hour at the Woodland Farm Brewery in Boonville. Day 2 is filled with field trips around the eastern side of the Tug Hill area followed by a conference reception at Hayloft at Moonshine Farm in Port Leyden. Day 3 is a beautiful field trip to Trenton Falls, especially open for this event. REGISTER HEREfor this unique event!!
Editor’s Note: Your CCAA Board of Directors meets monthly to conduct CCAA business, plan member meetings and continue its role to raise awareness and educate the public regarding climate change.
Speakers and topics set for member meeting through December
Progress reported on NYS incorporation efforts
Micron update provided
Membership update
Efforts noted to engage with other environmental organizations
Interview questions for congressional candidates developed
ORGANIZATION: NYSERDA
EVENT:Future Energy Economy Summit
WHEN: September 5, 2024
TIME:Livestreaming begins at 9 a.m. Thursday, September 5.
ORGANIZATION: Sierra Club, CCAA, Citizens’ Action of NY, et al.
EVENT:Why Electric School Buses?
WHEN: September 19, 2024
TIME:6 – 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION:Fayetteville Library
ORGANIZATION: The Cazenovia Community
EVENT: “The Power of Story Telling: Stories of Struggle, Hope and Resilience in the Face of Climate Crisis”
WHEN: September 20, 2024
TIME:7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
LOCATION:Cazenovia HS Auditorium, 31 Emory Ave., Cazenovia, NY
A talk by celebrated photographer and filmmaker Michael O. Snyder, a conservationist who will discuss his unique approach to telling compelling climate and social justice stories through photography and film.
Climate Change getting to you? We need some levity! Here are some funny and informative chimate change videos, only 10 to 45 seconds long. Enjoy these!
The oceans are weirdly hot! Scientists are trying to figure out “why”? Follow their thoughts HERE.
Solar rooftop has a fraud problem. The industry is working to build back trust. Check it out.
Oil and Gas Companies Are Trying to Rig the Marketplace. If you are a NYT subscriber, you have access to this article, an excellent summary of what the fossil fuel industry is doing.
Panama prepares to evacuate first island in face of rising sea levels.
On a tiny island off Panama’s Caribbean coast, about 300 families are packing their belongings in preparation for a dramatic change this week. The Gunas of Gardi Sugdub are the first of 63 communities that government officials and scientists expect to be forced to relocate by rising sea levels. Read more.
Thermal Energy Storage To Beat Natural Gas In US Northeast. One of the problems with renewable energy sources is getting output to match demand. This is especially important with industrial processes. But bGen, a new thermal energy storage technology, has shown great promise at a pilot installation at SUNY in Purchase, NY. By using excess energy to heat rocks, the 650°C thermal energy can be available to create steam for hours or days. The steam can be used directly for industrial processes or to generate electricity. Based on the success of the pilot, the collaboration will now roll out the technology through the Northeast. Read about it HERE.
Energy and Climate: While climate change awareness has continued to grow, climate change action is finally showing real growth. Here are seven signs that track that. Check it out RIGHT HERE.
DeSantis Denial. DeSantis signs law deleting Climate Change from Florida Policy. It’s all HERE. The law stops programs designed to encourage renewable energy and conservation in a state that is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
HOTTEST EVER!!!!Every month for the past year set a “hottest ever recorded”. Twelve months of record setting global temperatures has never happened since record keeping began. And the rate of temperature increases is getting faster.CHECK IT OUT.
Micron in the News. “Make Micron Pay For Its Staggering Environmental Harms,” guest opinion by Catherine Landis. Read it HERE.
Hope for the Future. Governor Hochul’s Office just announced a $200 Million Environmental Bond Act funding now available for zero-emission school buses. HERE
is the article explaining this.
CCAA members are encouraged to attend the monthly member meetings, either in person or via Zoom. Below is a schedule of upcoming presentations. Be sure to mark your calendars and plan to attend!
UPCOMING HIGHLIGHT. Mark your calendar for Thursday, September 19,2024 at the Fayetteville Library. Hear industry experts, including: NYSERDA, National Grid, Clean Communities of CNY, and NY Bus Sales as they highlight the historic investments and incentives currently available for cleaner transportation choice. Find out how to get assistance with applying for incentives. Question and Answer session with industry experts. CCAA is proud to co-sponsor this event
September 8, 2024
CCAA Board Meeting
Virtual
6:00-7:00
September 19, 2024
Electric School Buses
Fayetteville Library
6:00-7:30
October 6, 2024
CCAA Board Meeting
Virtual
6:00-7:00
October 10, 2024
Clean Transportation Opportunities
Fayetteville Library
6:00-7:30
November 3, 2024
CCAA Board Meeting
Virtual
6:00-7:30
November 12, 2024
Efficiency: the Complement to Sustainable Energy
Fayetteville Library
6:00-7:30
December 1, 2024
CCAA Board Meeting
Virtual
6:00-7:00
December 10, 2024
Sustainable Strategies in Architecture
Fayetteville Library
6:00-7:30
Event Speakers Speakers and Topics
Date: September 19, 2024 Place: Fayetteville Library Time: 6 – 7:30 p.m. TOPIC: Why Electric School Buses? SPEAKER: A variety of experts from NYSERDA, National Grid, Clean Communities of CNY and Bus Sales will provide a 90-minute learning experience separating fact from fiction to encourage clean transportation for the next generation.
Date: October 10, 2024 Place: Fayetteville Library Time: 6 – 7:30 p.m. TOPIC: Clean Transportation Opportunities Speaker: Barry Carr , Coalition Director, Clean Communities of CNY Barry is the Director of Business Development at ABM. He works with major utilities and fleets to develop alternative fuel infrastructure including natural gas, renewable natural gas, hydrogen and DC fast charge systems. For the last 15 years, he has volunteered as the Coordinator for Clean Communities of CNY, the U.S. DOE’s Clean City Coalition hosted by Syracuse University.
Date: November 12, 2024 Place: Fayetteville Library Time: 6 – 7:30 p.m. TOPIC: Efficiency: The Complement to Sustainable Energy The cheapest and cleanest energy is the Watts you never need to use. We’ll look at strategies beyond adding insulation or driving slower to achieve greater efficiency. This presentation will pull up some of the nerdy details of energy use to show the opportunities we have available for even better efficiency.
SPEAKER: Dale Sherman Dale has been an energy researcher and educator for 40 years in the fields of residential weatherization, commercial reconstruction, and industrial efficiencies. His personal hobbies besides woodworking are restoring electric garden tractors, electric vehicles of all sorts, and EV conversions of classic vehicles. Dale and his wife, Stephanie Cross, live in a fully electric 1885 house with a geothermal system and induction cook stove, drive electric, and run it all on solar.
Date: December 10, 2024 Place: Fayetteville Library Time: 6 – 7:30 p.m. TOPIC: Sustainable Strategies in ArchitectureSPEAKER: Brian Kelly, AIA, NCARB
Brian J. Kelly, Jr. is a professor at SUNY Morrisville and the former program coordinator and author of the college’s Architectural Studies and Design program. He is a registered architect (New York) and a past president of the American Institute of Architects, Central New York Chapter, where he also served for many years as the director of programs. As a practicing architect, he has worked for himself and several architectural firms in Syracuse, NY; Harrisburg, PA; Buffalo, NY and Utica, NY.
Within NY Renews, the Youth Committee is a space mostly for high school and college age individuals. We’re moving towards bi-weekly trainings followed by community organizing to support our campaigns. Joining the youth committee is a great opportunity to level up your organizing, learn about campaigning, and get involved in the climate justice movement.
We meet every other week with additional time on projects for those interested. If you are interested, please fill out the sign-up form so we can get more info about your interests and experiences (it’s not competitive). We would love to hear from you!
Newsletter Committee Staff Writers: Olivia Eden Fried and Kira Donegan Publishing and Design: Yvonne Chu, Annalena Davis, and Evelyn Pae Editor: Roseann Lorefice
CCAA Interns: Olivia Eden Fried, Katie Daley, Kira Donegan, Andrea Hayman, Lydia McFarland, Anna Montgomery, Olivia Elise Morton, and Marialicia Vick
